What is a Lithium-ion Backup Battery?
A lithium-ion backup battery is becoming a popular choice for charging both indoor and outdoor appliances. These batteries can store energy or power that can be used later, especially during power outages or outdoor trips. When paired with solar panels, it becomes an ultimate solar generator to charge all electrical devices.
Jackery Explorer Portable Power Stations feature NMC lithium-ion or LiFePO4 batteries that can last long and require little maintenance. For example, the compact Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Portable Power Station has a LiFePO4 battery of 288Wh capacity and is ideal for outdoor excursions. On the other hand, the large Jackery Explorer 3000 Pro Portable Power Station acts as a whole-home charging solution for all home devices.
Why Do You Need a Lithium-ion Backup Battery?
Lithium-ion batteries are popular power sources for home and outdoor needs. They have a high energy density and can store more power in a small space. It can last longer compared to lead acid batteries and can even handle more discharge/charge cycles. Here are some reasons to choose a lithium-ion backup battery:
- Generally speaking, lithium-ion batteries have a higher power density to offer more power in small spaces. For this reason, you can choose a small lithium-ion battery and carry it while camping, off-road trips, etc.
- They can even work in extremely low temperatures, so you can power appliances in freezing climates.
- These Li batteries are light in weight and offer interrupted supply to most outdoor appliances.
- There are whole-home lithium-ion battery backups that can be integrated with home circuits to start charging essential appliances in a few seconds.
How Does Lithium-ion Backup Battery Work?
The lithium-ion battery backups work when positive lithium ions move from the positive to negative electrode and negative electrodes from negative to positive end. The Jackery Explorer Portable Power Station featuring LiFePO4 or NMC lithium-ion batteries works by supplying continuous electricity to the appliances.
When the direct sun's rays fall on the monocrystalline silicon solar cells of the Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels, the free solar energy is converted into DC current. The Jackery Explorer Portable Power Stations have a pure sine wave inverter that works by converting DC to AC electricity, which is then transferred to charge devices.
Best 4 Lithium-ion Backup Batteries
Investing in a powerful and compact lithium-ion battery backup will keep most of the electrical appliances charged anytime and anywhere. However, there are a lot of battery backups available, making it complex to choose the one that matches your power needs. Jackery is a reputable solar brand that offers a wide range of solar power stations to charge indoor and outdoor devices like CPAP machines, electric blankets, heaters, ACs, and more. Here are some of the best Jackery Explorer Portable Power Stations available.
Jackery Explorer 100 Plus Portable Power Station
The mini Jackery Explorer 100 Plus Portable Power Station features a long-lasting LFP battery of 99Wh capacity and a 128W output. The USB-A output and 100W dual PD outputs can charge up to 3 devices like smartphones and tablets simultaneously. There's a silent charging mode available to ensure the noise levels remain less than 45dB, providing absolute peace of mind.
Customer Review
"Love this little personal size Jackery. I can take it anywhere, fit it in the palm of my hand, and keep my devices charged up when I am outside or the power goes out. Love it." — Deborah Lomax.
Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Portable Power Station
The small Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Portable Power Station has a 288Wh capacity and a 300W output. It only weighs 8.27 lbs, which is why this battery backup is ideal for road trips, camping, and more. This battery backup features dual PD ports that are designed to provide up to 100W output and support fast charging for multiple devices. It supports four recharging methods: Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels, wall charging, car charging, and even USB charging.
Customer Review
"The unit's well built, lightweight, and very reliable. I have many plans in mind for this unit, from camping to road trips and equipment backup. I highly recommend this unit and plan to invest in more "plus" backups with higher capacity." — Stanley Daniel.
Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus Portable Power Station
The Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus Portable Power Station is the top choice among all the similar-level portable power stations because of its unparalleled output. It has a LiFePO4 battery of 1264Wh capacity and can be expanded up to 5kWh with an additional Jackery Battery Pack 1000 Plus. It boasts a durable 10-year lifespan, providing a constant voltage and pure sine waves. This lithium-ion battery backup can supply steady electricity to 99% of home devices, including air fryers, electrical grills, and even ACs.
Customer Review
"The latest addition to my Jackery collection. This unit will be dedicated to my portable fridge while out camping. I did not purchase the extra battery pack because I already have a Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Portable Power Station and an extra battery pack for longer trips." — Christian V.
Jackery Explorer 3000 Pro Portable Power Station
The whole-home Jackery Explorer 3000 Pro Portable Power Station has an NMC lithium-ion battery of 3024Wh capacity and supports charging 99% of appliances. It's ideal for extended camping trips, RVing, glamping, and even home emergencies. The fully upgraded BMS (Battery Management System) features 12 forms of protection, a security chip, and a 30% heat dissipation efficiency for a versatile and reliable choice.
Customer Review
"I live in a rural area where power outages are common and sometimes extended. I also work from home at a tech-related job where I must be on my computer online to do my job. If the power is out, I'm not working. If a power outage occurred, I needed a reliable backup power solution to get in place quickly. The Jackery Explorer 3000 Pro is perfect. I've already needed it several times." — TMann Stuff.
How Long Does a Lithium-ion Battery Backup Last?
A lithium-ion backup battery typically lasts 2-3 years or 300-500 charging cycles. If maintained well, these batteries can even last up to 10 years. For example, the LiFePO4 battery cells in the Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus Portable Power Station can last up to 10 years and provide 4000 charge cycles. On the other hand, the large Jackery Explorer 3000 Pro Portable Power Station has an NMC lithium-ion battery that provides around 2000 lifecycles, after which the capacity drops to 70%.
Product |
Output Rated/Surge |
Capacity |
Cell Type |
Weight/Size |
Appliances |
128W |
99Wh |
LiFePO4 |
2.13 lbs / 965 g
|
MacBook Air (69.6W): 1.4 Charges iPad Pro (29W): 3.4 Charges iPhone 14 (12.7W): 7.8 Charges Apple Watch (1.2W): 82.5 Charges Apple AirPods Pro (1.5W): 66 Charges |
|
300W (600W Peak) |
288Wh |
LiFePO4 |
8.27 lbs / 3.75 kg
|
Mobile Phone (13W): 18.8H Tablet (29W): 8.4H CPAP Machine (60W): 4H Laptops (90W): 2.7H TV (60W): 4H Light (5W): 48.9H |
|
2000W (4000W Peak) |
1264Wh |
LiFePO4 |
32 lbs / 14.5 kg
|
Refrigerator (520W): 2H TV (60W): 17.9H Light (5W): 220 H Microwave (960W): 1.1H Electric Grill (900W): 1.1H |
|
3000W (6000W Peak) |
3024Wh |
NMC |
63.93 lbs / 29 kg |
Refrigerator (520W): 4.9H TV (60W): 42.8H Light (5W): 514H Heater (1800W): 1.4H Microwave (960W): 2.6H Electric Grill (900W): 2.8H |
If you live in an area that's prone to power outages or want to practice an off-grid lifestyle, then Jackery Solar Generators might be the right fit. These solar generators combine Jackery Explorer Portable Power Stations and Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels that work in tandem to collect solar energy, convert it to usable electricity, and charge appliances.
How to Choose the Best Lithium-ion Backup Battery?
Lithium-ion batteries are often one of the most expensive components in the solar power system. For this reason, it is essential to carefully consider a few factors to choose the best lithium-ion battery backup.
Capacity
The capacity of a battery is the amount of electricity it can store and is typically measured in watt-hours or kilowatt-hours. You'll need to understand the wattage requirement to calculate the correct battery capacity. Start by adding the appliance wattage you want to charge and then choose a lithium-ion battery backup that can supply sufficient electricity.
Safe and Clean
The battery backup of your choice should provide clean energy to all the appliances. It should not emit any toxic fumes or noise, ensuring the appliances get clean energy. Jackery Explorer Portable Power Stations are built with advanced BMS (Battery Management System) to provide over-voltage and short-circuit protection. These solar batteries use free and clean solar energy to produce electricity.
Cell Type
Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (NMC) and LiFePO4 are popular cell types for power stations and battery backups. Lithium-ion battery backups have a longer lifespan and higher energy density than lead-acid variants.
Input/Output Ports
Battery backups with more output ports can help you charge multiple appliances simultaneously. Jackery Explorer Portable Power Stations feature many AC, USB-A, and USB-C ports to charge small and large home appliances for long hours.
Lifespan
The battery lifespan is another critical factor you must remember while choosing the best battery-powered backup. For example, the LiFePO4 and lithium-ion batteries can last up to 10 years if maintained well.
Lithium-ion Backup Battery FAQs
How long does a lithium-ion battery backup last?
Lithium-ion battery backups can typically last up to 5 years or 2000-3000 charging cycles, depending on the quality of the cell type used. Jackery Explorer Portable Power Stations feature a lithium-ion or LiFePO4 battery that has a lifespan of over 10 years.
How long do lithium-ion UPS batteries work?
The lithium-ion UPS battery backup can last 6-10 years, often as long as the UPS itself.
Can I replace the UPS battery with lithium-ion?
Yes. You can replace the UPS battery with lithium-ion in an uninterruptible power system. However, these lithium-ion batteries can destroy charging circuits in low-quality UPSs.
Are backup batteries lithium-ion?
Yes. Many battery backups use lithium-ion battery cells as they perform pretty well and have advanced safety features. Jackery Solar Generators have NMC lithium-ion and LiFePO4 batteries to charge all the appliances safely for long hours.
Conclusion
Unlike lead-acid batteries, a lithium-ion backup battery has high energy density. That means even tiny and compact batteries can provide a lot of energy to the appliances being charged. Many lithium-ion battery backups are available out there, but not all are the same. Some are made with LiFePO4 battery cells that typically have a long lifespan and supply steady electric charge to devices.
Jackery manufactures different sizes and capacities of Jackery Explorer Portable Power Stations with NMC or LiFePO4 cells. If you want an outdoor solution to power outdoor devices like smartphones, then the lightweight and travel-friendly Jackery Explorer 100 Plus Portable Power Station is the ideal choice. On the other hand, if you wish for a whole home battery backup, the Jackery Explorer 3000 Pro Portable Power Station seems like a sensible choice.
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